Understanding the difference between composer install and composer update is crucial for managing dependencies in PHP projects.

Command composer install composer update
Purpose Installs dependencies from composer.lock Updates dependencies to latest versions based on composer.json
When to Use? When setting up a project or ensuring consistent dependencies When you want to update dependencies to newer versions
What Happens? Installs the exact versions specified in composer.lock Updates packages, modifies composer.lock, and installs new versions

Example:

1️⃣ Using composer install

- Suppose composer.lock contains Laravel 9.2.1.

- Running composer install will install exactly Laravel 9.2.1, ensuring all team members use the same version.

2️⃣ Using composer update

- If composer.json has "laravel/framework": "^9.0", it means Laravel 9.0+ is allowed.
- Running composer update will fetch the latest compatible version, e.g., Laravel 9.5.0.
- It updates composer.lock with new versions.

When to Use Which?

✅ Use composer install: Reads composer.lock and installs exactly what's listed. when setting up a project or deploying to production.
✅ Use composer update: Updates the dependencies listed in composer.json, and rewrites composer.lock. It’s used when you want to upgrade packages.

Tip: Always commit composer.lock to version control to avoid unexpected version mismatches in production. 🚀

composer install vs composer update – आसान भाषा में अंतर

🛠️ 1. composer install – Jo version mil chuka hai, wahi chahiye

  • Ye command composer.lock file ko padhta hai
  • Aur usme jo exact version likhe hain, wahi install karta hai
  • Ye use tab karo jab:
    • Aapne project clone kiya ho
    • Aap chahte ho sab system pe same dependency version ho

📌 Use karo: Jab project clone karo ya production mein setup karo

🔧 2. composer update – Mujhe naye version chahiye (allowed range ke andar)

  • Ye command composer.json file ko padhta hai
  • Aur har dependency ka latest matching version download karta hai
  • composer.lock file ko bhi update kar deta hai
  • Ye use tab karo jab:
    • Aap packages ko latest version pe lana chahte ho
    • Development ke time upgrade karna ho

📌 Use karo: Jab aap packages update karna chahte ho (aur team se sync karlo)

📌 एक लाइन में अंतर:

🔸 composer install = Jo mila tha, wahi chahiye (composer.lock)
🔸 composer update = Naya chahiye, lekin condition ke andar (composer.json)

🎯 Composer Install vs Update – Clone karne ke baad kya karein?

Jab koi developer aapka PHP project GitHub se clone karta hai, to uske paas do important files hoti hain:

  • composer.json – Aapne kaunse packages chahiye likha hai
  • composer.lock – Aapko kaunse exact version mile woh likha hai

✅ Clone karne ke baad kya command chalani chahiye?

composer install

📌 Ye command kya karega?

  • Ye composer.lock file ko padhega
  • Aur wahi exact version install karega jo aapke system pe chal raha tha
  • Sab developers ke paas same version hoga, koi problem nahi

❌ Agar galti se composer update chala diya?

  • Ye composer.json padhega
  • Latest allowed versions install karega
  • Aur composer.lock file ko update kar dega
  • Isse sabke system pe alag-alag version ho sakte hain — problem ho sakti hai

🔑 Simple Rule:

Project clone karo ✅
Fir sirf composer install chalao ✅
composer.lock ko follow karo ✅

✅ Final Note:

Jab bhi project clone karo, hamesha composer install chalana chahiye taaki sabko same version mile aur code stable rahe.